Brassiere with improved breast cup construction

ABSTRACT

A brassiere is provided which includes a front panel with two semicircular recesses in its upper edge. Side panels are connected to the sides of the front panel and are adapted to be attached together in the back, while a breast cup is secured to the front panel along the upper edge of each semicircular recess. The breast cups are made of three sections that are shaped in such a manner that the seams joining the sections do not contact and irritate the wearer&#39;&#39;s nipple. In addition, the breast cup sections are shaped so that the breast cup formed thereby conforms to the contour of the breast to provide gentle control.

[451 Oct. 14, 1975 BRASSIERE WITH IMPROVED BREAST CUP CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Bernard Pundyk, New York, NY.

[73] Assignee: Glamorise Foundations, Inc., New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 517,036

[52] U.S. Cl. 128/425; D2/24 [51] Int. Cl. A41C 3/00 [58] Field of Search 128/425, 455, 465, 468,

8/1967 Cousins 128/460 1/1968 Bruno l28/494X Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Assistant Examiner-Moshe 1. Cohen Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Larson, Taylor and Hinds [57] ABSTRACT A brassiere is provided which includes a front panel with two semicircular recesses in its upper edge. Side panels are connected to the sides of the front panel and are adapted to be attached together in the back, while a breast cup is secured to the front panel along the upper edge of each semicircular recess. The breast cups are made of three sections that are shaped in such a manner that the seams joining the sections do not contact and irritate the wearer's nipple. In addition, the breast cup sections are shaped so that the breast cup formed thereby conforms to the contour of the breast to provide gentle control.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures US, Patent 06:. 14,1975 3,911,931

BRASSIERE WITH IMPROVED BREAST CUP CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, in an effort to provide a comfortable brassiere that conforms to the natural contour of the wearers breasts, brassieres have been proposed with breast cups constructed from three sections, viz., an upper section and two lower sections. However, in conventional brassieres the seams between the sections composing the breast cups have been straight, which construction prevents the breast cups from conforming to the natural contour of the wearers breast. Moreover, the placement of the seams interconnecting the sections of such bras is such that the seams contact the nipples of the wearers breasts, which can cause irritation to this sensitive tissue and resultant discomfort to the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved brassiere construction, and more particularly, to an improved breast cup construction that overcomes problems of prior art discussed above. The brassiere of the present invention includes a front panel having first and second transversely spaced, semi-circular recesses in the upper edge thereof, and first and second panels secured to the sides of the front panel and adapted to be connected together by fastening means in the back. First and second breast cups are attached to the edges of the front panel which define the semicircular recesses. The breast cups each comprise three sections, viz., an upper section, a lower inboard section, and a lower outboard section, connected by stitching along their adjacent edges. The two lower sections each have a shape which is roughly that of a spherical triangle, but of differing proportions and areas, such that when stitched together along their complementary edges, the base or lower edges thereof form an unbroken curve which conforms to the contour of the corresponding front panel recess, and their upper edges form a complex curve comprising first and second spaced arched portions of differing curvature which curve downwardly to form an inverted generally lancet-like are at their area of joinder. The upper panel or section of each breast cup has a shape which is roughly that of a spherical polygon, the lower edge of which being shaped to conform to the curve formed by the upper edges of the lower sections. Depending on the shapes and sizes of the two lower sections, the end portions of the lower edge of the upper section may also conform to the contour of the end portions of the corresponding front panel recess. The upper edge of the upper sections of the breast cups may be of any desired contour and would normally be of the same contour as the corresponding edge of a conventional brassiere.

The use of breast cup sections shaped as described and joined together with curved seams allows the breast cup to more naturally conform to the shape of the breast, while the contour of the upper edges of the two lower breast cup sections provides gentle control. Further, the seams connecting the three sections are disposed so as to be out of contact with the nipple of the wearers breast, thus eliminating this source of irritation to the delicate tissue of the nipple. As a consequence of these combined features, a more comfortable brassiere construction is provided which may be incorporated in brassieres of the longline, as well as the bandeaux type, and also in the brassiere portions of corselets or similar garments.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follows hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a brassiere constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the brassiere of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the brassiere of the invention, which is generally denoted as 10, includes a front panel 20 having first and second spaced, arcuate recesses 21 defined by upper edge 28 thereof, side edges 23, and a lower edge 22. The front panel 20 shown in the exemplary embodiment under consideration is divided into two panels, 20A and 208, each of the panels having one arcuate recess 21, and inboard vertical edge 24, and an outboard vertical edge 23. Front panels 20A and 20B are joined along inboard vertical edges 24A and 24B by a seam 29. Upper edge 28 includes an inclined portion 27 disposed between the outer edge of the arcuate recess 21 and the vertical sides 23. The front panel 20 is made of a resilient material, preferably an elastomeric material such as elasticized mesh, which is yieldable in both the vertical and lateral directions.

Brassiere 10 further comprises side panels 40 which are, as shown, generally rectangular in shape and include a forward vertical edge 41, a horizontal top edge 42, a horizontal bottom edge 44, and a rearward vertical edge 43 (see FIG. 2). Forward vertical edge 41 is connected to vertical edge 23 of the front panel 20 by a vertical line of stitching 31. The rearward vertical edge 43 is connected to the side edge 71 of a fastener by a vertical line of stitching 72. Fastener 70 is conventional and includes a plurality of hooks 74 and corresponding eyes 73. There are several sets of eyes 73 so as to allow for adjustment to the size of the torso of the wearer. While the exemplary embodiment considered here employs hooks and eyes, any suitable fastening means may be used. The front panel 20, incombination with side panels 40 and fastener 70, form a complete band which fits around the torso of the wearer.

A pair of shoulder straps are attached to the top edge 42 of side panels 40 at spaced locations on opposite sides of fastener 70. Shoulder straps 80 are attached to the front of the brassiere 10 along edges 81 of breast cups described hereinbelow. Shoulder straps 80 each include conventional adjusting means 83 for adjusting the strap length.

A lower strip of elastic material 60 is secured to brassiere 10 along the inside surface of the lower edge. Similarly, an upper strip of elastic material 62 is secured to brassiere 10 along the inside surface of the upper edge. These elastic strips 60 and 62 are laterally stretchable so that the body band formed by the front panel 20 and side panels 40 fits snugly yet comfortably around the torso of the wearer.

Brassiere also includes a pair of breast cups 90, each of which comprises three sections, viz., an upper section 92, a lower outboard section 94, and a lower inboard section 96. The shape of both lower sections 94 and 96 is substantially that of a spherical triangle, although, as indicated, section 94 has relatively greater dimensions and area than section 96. Sections 94 and 96 are defined by base edges 94C and 96C, adjacent edges 94D and 96D, upper edges 94E and 96E, respectively. The shape of section 92 is substantially that of a spherical polygon and is defined by a lower edge 98, an outboard vertical edge 100, an inboard vertical edge 102, an outboard edge 104, an inboard edge 106, and a strap edge 81 referred to above. Breast cup 90 is formed by connecting together sections 94 and 96 along their adjacent edges 94D and 96D, which have complementary contours, such that base edges 94C and 96C are aligned to form a continuous curve. Cup 90 is completed by connecting together upper section 92 and the joined lower sections 94 and 96 along the lower edge 98 of section 92 and the upper edges 94E and 9613, respectively, of lower edges 94 and 96, the curve of edge 98 conforming to the combined curve formed by edges 94E and 96E. As shown, the lower edge of breast cup 90 defined by outboard vertical edge 100 of section 92, base edge 94C of section 94, base edge 96C of section 96 and inboard vertical edge 102 of section 92 conforms to the contour of recess 21 and each breast cup 90 is attached to the appropriate recess 21 along these edges. It should be noted that the length of vertical edges 100 and 102 on section 92 may vary in different embodiments depending on the dimensions chosen for lower sections 94 and 96, and the length of the combined base edges 94C and 96C. The purpose of vertical edges 100 and 102 is to ensure that the lower periphery of breast cup 90 is coextensive with recess 21 when the cups 90 are secured to the front panels A and 208. The dimensions of lower sections 94 and 96 and the alignment of cups 90 in recesses 21 are such that the seams formed by the connected edges 94D and 96D, and the connected edges 98, 94E, and 96E do not contact the nipples of the wearer. Further, the dimensions and shapes of the three sections 92, 94, and 96 of the breast cups 90 are such that the breast cups 90 conform tothe natural contours of the female breast, while still providing support and control. In an advantageous embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the contour of upper edges 94E and 96E each form gently curved arches, with the curvature of the arch formed by edge 94E being relatively greater than that of the arch formed by edge 96E. As illustrated, the two edges 94E and 96E form an inverted generally lancet-type arch in the area of their intersection, which is also the area where the nipple of the wearer would be located. Thus, the seams joining the panels or sections 92, 94, and 96 together are located so as to avoid contact with, and hence prevent irritation of the wearers nipples. The particular contour formed by edges 94E and 96E in the illustrated embodiment has the further advantage of providing gentle control of the breast while still maintaining the natural contour of the breast cup 90 as a whole.

The outboard edge 104 of the upper section 92 of breast cup connects vertical edge to the strap edge 81, the contour of edge 104 being shaped to provide a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing transition from the contour of the inclined upper edge portion 27 of panel 20 with the contour formed by the outer edge of shoulder strap 80. Similarly, inboard edge 106 of the upper section 92 of breast cup 90 connects vertical edge 102 to the strap edge 81, the contour of edges 106 of both breast cups 90 being shaped to form a comfortable and aesthetically attractive generally U-shaped curve. The vertex of the contour formed by the two edges 106 may advantageously be formed by the upper edge of seam 29. Breast cups 90 may be made of any soft, resilient material.

Although the invention has been described relative to an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be effected in this embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1 claim 1. A brassiere comprising first and second breast cups, a front panel having first and second transversely spaced, arcuate recesses in the upper edge thereof, means for securing said breast cups along their lower edges to the edges of said front panel defining said recesses, first and second side panels secured to opposite sides of said front panel and adapted to be attached to one another at their free ends by a fastening means, and first and second shoulder straps connected between upper portions of the first and second breast cup and said first and second side panels, respectively, at locations on said side panels near the free ends thereof, said breast cups each comprising an upper section, a lower inboard section, and a lower outboard section which are sewn together along their common edges and which are shaped such that the seams thus formed do not contact the nipples of the breasts of a wearer and the breast cups conform to the natural contours of the breasts of a wearer, the upper edges of said lower inboard and lower outboard sections, which are secured to the corresponding upper section edge, being curved and forming an inverted arch at a central location on the breast cup.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the shape of each said lower inboard section and lower outboard section of each said breast cup is substantially that of a spherical triangle.

3. The brassiere of claim 2 wherein said lower outboard section has relatively greater dimensions than those of said lower inboard section.

4. The brassiere of claim 3 wherein said lower sections are so shaped that the upper edges of said lower outboard section and said lower inboard section together form a complex curve which comprises first and second spaced arches of differing curvatures which form an inverted, generally lancet-shape arch in the area of the wearers nipple.

5. The brassiere of claim 4 wherein said first arch is the upper edge of said lower outboard section and has a relatively greater degree of curvature than said second arch. 

1. A brassiere comprising first and second breast cups, a front panel having first and second transversely spaced, arcuate recesses in the upper edge thereof, means for securing said breast cups along their lower edges to the edges of said front panel defining said recesses, first and second side panels secured to opposite sides of said front panel and adapted to be attached to one another at their free ends by a fastening means, and first and second shoulder straps connected between upper portions of the first and second breast cup and said first and second side panels, respectively, at locations on said side panels near the free ends thereof, said breast cups each comprising an upper section, a lower inboard section, and a lower outboard section which are sewn together along their common edges and which are shaped such that the seams thus formed do not contact the nipples of the breasts of a wearer and the breast cups conform to the natural contours of the breasts of a wearer, the upper edges of said lower inboard and lower outboard sections, which are secured to the corresponding upper section edge, being curved and forming an inverted arch at a central location on the breast cup.
 2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the shape of each said lower inboard section and lower outboard section of each said breast cup is substantially that of a spherical triangle.
 3. The brassiere of claim 2 wherein said lower outboard section has relatively greater dimensions than those of said lower inboard section.
 4. The brassiere of claim 3 wherein said lower sections are so shaped that the upper edges of said lower outboard section and said lower inboard section together form a complex curve which comprises first and second spaced arches of differing curvatures which form an inverted, generally lancet-shape arch in the area of the wearer''s nipple.
 5. The brassiere of claim 4 wherein said first arch is the upper edge of said lower outboard section and has a relatively greater degree of curvature than said second arch. 